China Factory Index: 1st Contraction In 6 Months

HONG KONG (AP) -- Chinese manufacturing looks set to contract in January for the first time in six months, according to an survey released Thursday, further evidence of a slowdown that complicates reform efforts in the world's No. 2 economy.

The preliminary version of HSBC's purchasing managers' index dipped to 49.6 this month from December's 50.5 reading. It's the lowest reading since July's 47.7. The index is based on a 100-point scale on which numbers above 50 indicate expansion.

The report on China's massive manufacturing industry adds to recent signs that the world's second-biggest economy is decelerating, adding to pressure on China's communist leaders who want to bring in sweeping reforms while keeping growth ticking along.

Data released earlier this week showed China's economy expanded 7.7 percent last year, tying 2012 for the weakest annual performance since 1999, as growth slowed in the final quarter.

China's economic growth has slowed from searing double-digit rates of the past decade, although it's still expanding much more quickly than the United States, Japan or Europe. However, the unexpectedly sharp decline raises the risk of politically dangerous job losses and heightens challenges faced by the ruling Communist Party as it tries to shift the basis of the economy to domestic consumption rather than trade and investment.

HSBC's survey is based on responses from 85 to 90 percent of 420 factories, with the full version released Jan. 30.

The report's factory output sub-index fell to a three-month low, while new orders and new orders for export both decreased, as did employment.